U.S. patent number 4,608,175 [Application Number 06/628,481] was granted by the patent office on 1986-08-26 for integral waste disposal system.
Invention is credited to David A. Nuttle.
United States Patent |
4,608,175 |
Nuttle |
August 26, 1986 |
Integral waste disposal system
Abstract
This invention is a sanitary disposal system for human waste and
organic garbage by aerobic composting combined with solar
evaporative distillation for greywater. The aerobic composting
reduces waste volume by ninety percent leaving water, carbon
dioxide and a harmless but fertile ash by-product. Except for
urine, the system essentially operates dry. No chemicals, septic
system, or sewage treatment plant is required. There is no odor and
no polluting discharged during operation. A nonsoiling toilet seat
is provided so a dry toilet bowl may be used without the usual
problems of cleaning. Insects are prevented from entering or
leaving the system which is constantly aerated to assure that the
composting process does not convert to anaerobic. The greywater
system further enhances pollution control. This includes solar
evaporative distillation to separate out solids which can be
disposed of in a sanitary dump while the reclaimed water can be
used for non-household purposes.
Inventors: |
Nuttle; David A. (Youngsville,
NC) |
Family
ID: |
24519059 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/628,481 |
Filed: |
July 6, 1984 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/532.2;
422/290; 4/209FF; 203/DIG.5; 4/209R |
Current CPC
Class: |
C02F
1/14 (20130101); Y02A 20/212 (20180101); Y02W
10/37 (20150501); Y10S 203/05 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
C02F
1/14 (20060101); C02F 003/12 (); C02F 009/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;210/532.2,170
;203/DIG.1,DIG.5 ;159/1S,1RW
;4/111.1,111.6,317,318,321,322,460,474,475,476,477,29R,29FF,DIG.12
;422/189,285,288,290 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Fisher; Richard V.
Assistant Examiner: Millard; Wanda L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Mills & Coats
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for disposal of household liquid and solid waste
comprising: an aerobic biological decomposing tank for receiving
and treating human and organic waste, said decomposing tank having
waste inlet means for depositing said human and organic waste,
aeration means including air inlet means, air exhaust means and
blower means for causing a positive air flow through said
decomposing tank, and access means for removal of ash resulting
from the decomposition of said human and organic waste; and a solar
evaporative distillation and collecting system for receiving and
distilling waste water, said distillation system being independent
of said decomposing tank and having at least one reservoir for
receiving said waste water, a trough-like condensing surface having
an extending lower apex over a substantial portion of said
reservoir, and a water collection trough disposed below said apex
of said condensing surface whereby a highly efficient, low cost
system for disposal of household solid and liquid waste is
provided.
2. The disposal system of claim 1 wherein said air inlet means
includes means for heating air as such air passes through said air
inlet means.
3. The disposal system of claim 2 wherein said means for heating
air is a solar air warmer.
4. The disposal system of claim 3 wherein said solar air warmer
includes a secondary heating means for heating air when the
internal temperature of said solar air warmer drops below a
predetermined temperature.
5. The disposal system of claim 4 wherein said secondary heating
means is an electrical resistance heater.
6. The decomposing system of claim 1 wherein the means for
depositing the solid human waste in the aerobic biological
decomposing system is a toilet chair type means.
7. The decomposing system of claim 6 wherein said toilet chair
means includes an associated bulking material depositing means.
8. The decomposing system of claim 7 wherein the bulking material
is of the sawdust type.
9. The disposal system of claim 8 wherein said toilet chair means
includes a driven air flow means to reduce the likelihood of odor
escaping therefrom.
10. The disposal system of claim 7 including a means for
premeasuring the amount of bulking material used.
11. The disposal system of claim 1 wherein said aeration means
further includes means for preventing build-up of internal pressure
within said decomposing tank whereby more efficient decomposing is
achieved.
12. The disposal system of claim 11 wherein said means for
preventing pressure build-up includes self-adjusting inlet and
exhaust openings which change direction with the wind so as to
always be disposed away from the prevailing winds.
13. The disposal system of claim 1 wherein said distillation and
collection system includes two reservoirs for alternately receiving
waste water while the other reservoir is being serviced
14. The waste disposal system of claim 13 wherein a separate
condensing surface and collecting trough is provided for each
reservoir.
15. The decomposing system of claim 1 wherein the means for
depositing the organic waste in the aerobic biological decomposing
system is a garbage chute type means.
16. The decomposing system of claim 11 wherein the means for
disposing the liquid waste in the evaporative distillation system
is a plumbing fixture type means.
17. The disposal system of claim 1 wherein said blower means
includes a first fan-type means disposed within said air inlet
means for pushing air into said decomposing tank and a second
fan-type means disposed within said air exhaust means for pulling
air from said decomposing tank, whereby a push-pull ventilation
system is provided.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to human waste disposal and more
particularly to composting toilets for the disposal of human feces,
urine, and garbage with an integral solar evaporative distillation
means for disposal of greywater.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Human wastes are typically disposed of by a water-borne waste
transport system whereby feces, urine, garbage, and greywater are
either flushed to sewage treatment plants or percolated into the
ground via a septic field. A family of five will generally flush 80
gallons of water per day down the toilet. This same family uses a
mean of another 150 gallons per day for washing dishes, clothes,
hair, teeth and skin. All of this water (over 2.5 trillion gallons
a year in the U.S.) must be acquired, stored, transported and
purified before it is used. Water is becoming increasingly
expensive, and it is very difficult to provide in those areas where
water shortages exist.
Sewer systems are not always available, and when they are available
they are often defective. Many solids do not percolate well and,
therefore, preclude the use of septic fields or make them
ineffective if used. Thus, pollution of the environment often
results from these problems with the present waterborne waste
transport system. The greatest impact of such pollution is the
contamination of soils, surface water, and ground water by
nitrogen, phosphorus, trace elements, chemicals, salts, grease,
suspended solids, bacteria and pathogens.
In 1964 an alternative means of human waste disposal was invented
as shown in U.S. Pat. No 3,136,608. This invention, known as a
Clivus Multrum or Swedish composting toilet, utilizes biological
decomposition to decompose human and organic wastes. By using a
sloping tank inclined at 20 to 30 degrees with air channels and
compartments to assist natural aeration and mixing, an odorless
form of aerobic composting takes place. Waste volume is reduced
over 90 percent while harmless byproducts such as water vapor and
carbon dioxide are vented to the outside air. A small quantity of
compost ash is removed from the Clivus and an annual basis. This
ash is safe for use as a fertilizer for lawns and animal crops.
Clivus toilets are used throughout Europe and in almost every state
in the United States.
The Clivus Multrum toilet has not become popular in the United
States because most people associate it with an odor producing
anaerobic pit privy. Although the Clivus can dispose of kitchen
garbage, it cannot dispose of greywater. In many situations, such a
partial solution to the waste disposal problem is no solution at
all. Several alternative greywater disposal systems have been
proposed, but all have problems that preclude effective operation.
Since the Clivus does not operate well with the addition of water,
flushing water cannot be used to clean the toilet bowl or closet
chair. The Clivus has, therefore, had a hygienic reason for lacking
popular acceptance.
The inventor of the Clivus attempted to solve the flushing problem
in 1978 as shown in U.S. Pat. No 4,084,269 by developing a flushing
system that would not deter the composting process. This invention
failed because any flushing made the composting process far less
efficient. Clivus systems have also had problems in that they did
not prevent the entry of insects, and because the aeration system
was often inadequate. Also intake air was not sufficiently warmed
in cold weather. Cold-shock and death or damage to aerobic bacteria
resulted from this failure. The above set forth deficiencies all
combined to have a negative impact upon the Clivus. In summary, it
is an alternative solution that has failed to meeting existing
needs for new approaches to human waste disposal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
After much research and study into the above-mentioned problems,
the present invention has been developed to provide a safe and
sanitary means to dispose of human waste. This means is partly
accomplished by disposing of human feces, urine and kitchen garbage
in a Clivus-type tank made more efficiency by providing a push-pull
ventilation system that uses two small energy-efficient fans. Also
a primary and secondary method to assure that intake air is
sufficiently warmed to avoid cold-shock of aerobic bacteria is
provided. Additionally a simple method for the periodic
introduction of a measured quantity of bulking agent such as
sawdust to improve the composting process is used.
The present invention also provides a screen at each vent to keep
out insects, has a unique toilet bowl or closet chair that is
designed to prevent feces or urine from contacting said bowl, has
pond liner such as Hypalon 45 inside the concrete tank to assure
that leakage from the tank does not occur in the event the concrete
cracks, has child-proof safety latch on the toilet bowl lid to
prevent small children from entering the bowl or tank, and has
disposable diaper technique that allows paper diapers and waste to
be composted after removal of an outer protective plastic layer
that can be disposed of as trash.
The remainder of the disposal system is designed to recycle
greywater so that the grey solids are separated from the water.
This separation is accomplished by draining the greywater into two
small recovery ponds having pond liners and a sealed glazed canopy
overhead. The canopy is shaped so as to collect the distilled water
droplets that form under the surface of the canopy. These droplets
then fall into a series of collection troughs that move the water
to a storage tank or other suitable means. The water thus collected
may be used to water lawns, trees, and crops whose edible parts do
not come into direct contact with the distilled recovered
greywater.
After the removal of water from the above ponds, everything
remaining is collected by using solar energy to totally dry one
pond (as needed) while the other pond continues operating. This
grey material should be disposed of by a septic tank cleaning
company on an annual basis if not more often. Efficiency of the
above greywater system is highest when grease is isolated from the
greywater via grease traps or other means. It also improves
efficiency if biodegradable soaps are used in the home. When
greywater contains a high percentage of suspended solids, the same
should be percolated through 30 inches of sand at the rate of 6
gallons per cu. ft. per day. This technique will also preclude most
harmful bacteria from entering the ponds. Greywater ponds should be
aerated as needed to prevent pond conversion from an aerobic to an
anaerobic status. With careful quantity control over the distilled
water produced from the greywater, it is possible to use this
recycled water for as many uses as may be approved by local health
departments.
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an integral waste disposal system reducing normal water
consumption for any given household by at least thirty-five
percent.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an aerobic
composting means in combination with an integral waste disposal
system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a greywater
solar distillation means in combination with an integral waste
disposal system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved
dry type toilet for use in conjunction with an aerobic decomposing
means.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an inlet air
heating means for use in conjunction with an aerobic decomposing
system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a basically
dry decomposing system for both human feces and biodegradable
garbage in combination with a greywater waste recovery means.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from a study of the following description and the
accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic sectional view of the integral waste
disposal system of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the tank portion of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective view of said tank;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the closet chair portion of the
present invention;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken through lines 5--5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken through lines 6--6 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the bulking agent release mechanism
in loaded position;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the bulking agent release mechanism
in partially rotated position;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the bulking agent release mechanism
in dumping position;
FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the air intake
pipe;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a typical section of air exhaust
pipe;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the primary and secondary air
warming system for the air intake pipe;
FIG. 13 is a lateral sectional view through the greywater ponds;
and
FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken through lines 12--12 of FIG.
13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
With further reference to the drawings, the integral waste disposal
system of the present invention, indicated generally at 101, is
composed of a decomposing tank portion, indicated generally at 10,
a toilet chair portion, indicated generally at 11, and a greywater
distillation portion, indicated generally at 12.
The tank portion 10 of the present invention is generally
rectangular in cross section, is constructed from a ridged material
such as reinforced concrete, has a clean-out wall 13 with a
clean-out opening 13' therein, an impervious bottom 14, an
impervious end wall 15, two impervious side walls 16, and a top 17
having a plurality of openings therein which will hereinafter be
described in greater detail.
Extending from bottom 14 adjacent clean-out wall 13 to a point
two-thirds of the way up end wall 15 is an inclined floor 18. Below
this inclined floor is a support material such as aggregate 19.
Between inclined floor 18 and aggregate 19 is a waterproof liner
formed from a plastic-type water impervious material such as Hyplon
45. Since water impervious liners of this general type are well
known to those skilled in the art and are commercially available,
further detailed description of the same is not deemed
necessary.
A plurality of perforated aeration pipes 21 are provided which are
disposed parallel to and slightly above inclined floor 18 as can
clearly be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. These pipes are communicatingly
interconnected by manifold 22 which communicates with air inlet
pipe 23.
Both ends of each of the perforated aeration pipes 21 are capped as
indicated at 24.
Extending across the interior of tank portion 10 between side walls
16 and depending from the underside of top 17 are a plurality of
control baffles 25, at least one of which includes a vent opening
as indicated at 26 in FIG. 2. The purpose of these baffles will
hereinafter be discussed in greater detail.
Extending above the roof 27 of building structure 28 is exterior
inlet pipe 29. Freely rotatively mounted on the end of pipe 29,
through means such as collar 30, is a curved inlet elbow 31 having
a wind vane 32 fixedly secured thereto. From the above it can be
seen that the inlet opening 33 of elbow 30 will always be disposed
away from the prevailing wind thus preventing ambient air movement
from building up undesirable internal pressure within tank 10.
Over inlet opening 33 of elbow 30 is a microscreen of the size
commonly known as No-See-Um which prevents even extremely small
insects from passing therethrough. Since screening of this type is
well known to those skilled in the art, further detailed discussion
of the same is not deemed necessary.
In the side of air inlet pipe 29 is an access door 34. Operatively
mounted interiorly of pipe 29 adjacent door 34 is a small,
energy-efficient fan or blower 35. Since fans or blowers of this
type are well known to those skilled in the art, further detailed
discussion of the same is not deemed necessary.
The end of air inlet pipe 29 opposite collar 30 communicates with
the interior of a solar air warmer, indicated generally at 36. This
air warmer is constructed from solar energy absorbing and storing
material such as bricks 37.
A skylight 38 is provided in roof 27 on a southern exposure from
solar air warmer 36 to allow solar rays to fall on said warmer. A
plurality of interior baffles 39 are provided to cause the air
passing through warmer 36 to travel a greater distance thereby
having more time to become heated.
In the lower portion of warmer 36 is provided a plurality of
electric resistance heaters 41 which are thermostatically
controlled from a sensor located at warmer outlet 42. During cold
weather, on cloudy days, and at night when the internal temperature
of the air warmer 36 drops below a predetermined temperature,
heaters 41 will automatically activate to assure that the inlet air
reaching the interior of tank 10 is sufficiently warm to prevent
cold shock, death and/or damage to the aerobic bacteria
therein.
Air inlet pipe 23 extends from the interior of tank 10 to the
outlet 42 of warmer 36.
From the above it can be seen that the pressure of air entering
decomposing tank 10 through inlet pipe 23 can be maintained by
blower 35 while the temperature of such air is controlled within
preset limits by warmer 36.
Exhaust vent pipe 43 is mounted through top 17 of tank 10 and
extends through roof 27 of structure 28 and terminates in a readily
rotatable outlet elbow 44 having a wind vane 45 fixedly secured
thereto in the same manner that wind vane 32 is secured to and
operates rotatable inlet elbow 31.
Also provided within vent pipe 43 is a positive air mover such as
fan or blower 46. If desired an access door similar to door 34 can
be provided in pipe 43 to service said air mover. Fan or blower 46
is, of course, of the energy efficient type and removes carbon
dioxide, moisture, and other gases which are the by-products of the
aerobic decomposition process.
One or more toilet inlet openings 47 are provided in top 17 of tank
10. An elongated toilet collar 48 covers opening 47 and extends
upwardly to a point adjacent the floor 49 above said tank.
The lower edge of toilet chair 11 includes a downwardly projecting
flange 50 which passes through an opening in floor 49 sized for the
same. This flange is adapted to snug fit inside the upper edge of
toilet collar 48 as can clearly be seen in FIG. 4. An outwardly
extending floor flange 51 engages the upper surface of floor 49,
again as can clearly be seen in Figure 5.
An open, toilet cavity enclosure 52 is preferably formed from a
material such as molded plastic and includes a pair of foot
indentions 43 on each side thereof adjacent foot pads 54.
A bulking tank 55 is formed at the rear of and extends upwardly
from the toilet cavity enclosure 52. A lid 56 rests on lip 57 and
can be removed by lifting with finger hole 58. An agitator bar 59
extends across and is rotatively mounted within tank 55 as can
clearly be seen in FIG. 6. This agitator bar has a crank handle 60
fixedly secured thereto which is disposed exteriorly of said
bulking tank so that when said crank is turned, the bar will rotate
interiorly of the tank to agitate the bulking agent 61 contained
therein.
A shaker screen 62 is mounted interiorly of tank 55 as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6. At one end of said shaker screen is fixedly secured
a shaker handle which extends outwardly from the side of the tank
on the side opposite crank 60 as can clearly be seen in FIG. 4.
When the bulking material 61 has been stirred and de-lumped by
agitator bar 59, shaker handle 53 can be moved up and down to cause
such bulking material to sift through shaker screen 62 and pass
down the sloping bottom 64 of tank 55 to a point above bulking
material release sleeve 65.
Rotatively mounted across sleeve 65 is a bulking material measuring
trough 66. A pulley fixedly secured to this measuring trough is
mounted exteriorly of said sleeve. A second pulley 68 is fixedly
secured to crank 60. A drive belt 69 is trained over pulleys 67 and
68. Thus when crank 60 is turned, through drive belt 69 measuring
trough 66 will turn within release sleeve 65 measuring a
predetermined amount of bulking material 61 and releasing the same
from through the sleeve as illustrated in sequential FIGS. 7, 8 and
9.
A perforated partition 70 extends across bulking tank portion 55
below sloping bottom 64 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. A downwardly
blowing fan 71 is mounted within shroud 72 which in turn is secured
to partition 70.
A toilet opening 73 is provided in the upper portion of toilet
cavity enclosure 52 and is surrounded by a reinforcing lip 74. A
toilet seat 75 is mounted adjacent toilet opening 73 and includes a
rubber gasket 76 forming an air tight seal between the upper
portion of toilet cavity enclosure 52 and said toilet seat. A
toilet lid 77 is hingedly mounted to the upper portion of toilet
cavity enclosure 52 as indicated at 78. Again a rubber, Neoprene or
similar gasket 79 is provided between seat 75 and lid 77 to form an
air tight seal when said lid is closed.
An on-off switch, indicated at 80, is operatively associated with
lid 77 so that when said lid is open, fan 71 will run and when said
lid is closed, said fan will be turned off. Since contact switches
and fans of this general type are well known to those skilled in
the art, further detailed discussion of the same is not deemed
necessary.
The greywater distillation portion 12 of the present invention
includes two generally rectangular ponds 81 and 82 formed from a
liquid impervious material. A plurality of upright members or
stanchions 83 are provided around the edges of ponds 81 and 82.
Arched cross members 84 are mounted on the upper ends of the
stanchions 83 and extend across the ponds 81 and 82 as can clearly
be seen in FIG. 13.
Suspended from cross members 84 by means such as cables 85' are
weight bars 85 which generally run the length of each of the ponds
81 and 82. Condensing surfaces 86 are suspended between the various
stanchions 83 and extend across each of the greywater ponds as
clearly shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. These surfaces are preferably
formed from a material such as 6 ml polyethylene. With the weight
bars 85 lying in tension contact with condensing surfaces 86, a
trough-like configuration is formed.
Side walls 89 and end walls 90 extend upwardly at least as far as
their juncture with adjacent condensing surfaces 86. These sides
and ends are formed from a suitable material such as 6 ml
polyethylene.
Mounted immediately below the downwardly pointing apex 87 of
condensing surfaces 86 is a water collection trough 88. This
collection trough extends outwardly through one end wall 90 as
shown in FIG. 14.
From the above it can be seen that solar evaporation will readily
occur in each of the greywater ponds 81 and 82. This evaporated
water will condense on the underside of condensing surfaces 86 and
by gravity and surface tension will run down to apex 87 where the
water will drop into collection trough 88. Since this trough is
inclined, the water then moves to the end 91 of such trough where
it can be collected in storage containers, can be piped to
irrigation systems, or other uses can be made of the same where
potable water is not required.
A garbage chute 92 extends from the top of a kitchen cabinet 93 or
other suitable location to a point where it passes through garbage
inlet opening 94 in top 17 of decomposing tank 10. Thus it can be
seen that biodegradable garbage can be deposited in chute 92 and
will pass into tank 10 for decomposition.
The water from normal fixtures 95 such as lavatories, showers,
washing machines and the like, drain through waste water line 96
into one of the two greywater ponds. From there, as discussed
above, the water will be evaporated out leaving only solids to be
later disposed of.
Once the integral waste disposal system of the present invention
has been installed as set forth above, the toilets 11 can be used
in the normal manner as can the garbage chute 92. Since air is
constantly circulated through tank 10, aerobic decomposition is
rapidly accomplished and once the piled up feces and garbage
decomposes, the remaining ash can move past baffles 25 to the lower
end of inclined floor 18. Periodically, and at least on a yearly
basis, this ash of decomposition can be cleaned out by removing
closure 13' from the opening in wall 13 as shown in FIG. 1.
No odor is encountered during use of the present invention and no
undesirable gases escape due to the automatic operation of toilet
fan 71 which blows downwardly through toilet cavity enclosure 52. A
removable cover or cap 97 over garbage chute 96 likewise assures
that pressure can be maintained within tank 10 and that all gases
will be expelled out of outlet elbow 44 by exhaust fan 46 through
pipe 43.
As the various water consuming fixtures 95 are used, the waste
water moves through line 96 into one of the pre-selected greywater
ponds 81 or 82. From there the sun shining through the sides 89,
the ends 90, and the condensing surfaces 86 will cause the water in
said greywater pond to evaporate and be recondensed on condensing
surfaces 86. By gravity, due to the slope of such surfaces, the
droplets will run down to apex 87 and drop into collection trough
88. From there the water will run to the end 91 of such trough
where it can be used for any purpose where nonpotable water is
acceptable.
Once one of the ponds becomes full, the other one can be used. Once
all water has been evaporated out of the full pond and the solid
residue dried, it can be simply scooped up and taken to any
convenient designated sanitary disposal area.
Optimum sizes of the Clivus-type tank and the greywater recovery
ponds are determined by use rates. Water conservation devices are
suggested and can be used to reduce the volume of water flowing to
the ponds. The flow-rate will already be reduced 35 percent due to
use of the composting toilet. Under these circumstances, two each 8
feet.times.12 feet recovery ponds will recycle greywater at a rate
of 1 gal. per surface sq. ft. per day to meet the needs of a
typical family of five. A Clivus-type tank measuring 4
feet.times.12 feet.times.8 feet deep at the bottom end will be more
than adequate to dispose of the human waste including feces and
urine from two toilets plus garbage for the same family and visitor
use. This tank capacity includes toilet paper and bulking agent
material such as sawdust.
To help overcome any homeowner or local health department objection
to this invention, users can contract with a local septic tank
cleaning company to remove composting ash from the above said tank
on an annual basis. This company can also be used to dispose of the
grey from the greywater system.
From the above it can be seen that the present invention greatly
reduces the amount of water used by any given household or other
similar structure. Additionally, the majority of what little water
is used is recycled for nonpotable purposes thus providing an
extremely energy efficient integral waste disposal system.
The present invention can, of course, be carried out in other
specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from
the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. The
present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes
coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended
Claims are intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *